Biochemical indicators of pollution exposure in shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), caught in four harbours on the southwest coast of Iceland

Shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) were caught in four Icelandic h arbours, differing in size, use and traffic. Biochemical responses in liver were measured and chemicals analysed in bile. Eyrarbakki harbour, which ha s not been in use for many years was chosen as a control site. Njarovik har bour is a small fishing harbour and a marina, Sandgeroi harbour is a large fishing harbour, and Reykjavik harbour is a large fishing harbour and an in ternational transport harbour. Higher levels of DNA-adducts and cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in the fish from the harbours in Sandgeroi, Njarovik and Rey kjavik, compared to Eyrarbakki harbour, indicate PAH exposure. This was con firmed by PAH analysis in bile. The higher activities of the antioxidant en zymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductas e (GR) in fish caught in Sandgeroi; than in fish caught in the other harbou rs. indicate exposure of sculpin to prooxidative compounds in Sandgeroi har bour. Shorthorn sculpin seems to be a convenient species for monitoring pol lution in northern coastal areas. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.